OMAHA, Neb. — After its roller-coaster season, California is thankful to have next year.

The Bears began the season under the impression there would be no next year for their program. There will be, however, thanks to alumni and boosters and others who raised the money necessary to keep it going.

That is especially comforting to coaches and players of California after its 8-1 loss to Virginia at the College World Series on Thursday night.

The Bears couldn’t get their bats going against Virginia starter Tyler Wilson, and their three errors proved costly.

“Obviously, it’s disappointing the way (we) went out. Very uncharacteristic of us,” Chadd Krist said. “We made it to Omaha — a lot of people can’t say they’ve done that — and we did it with our best buds. We’re disappointed, but celebrate the season a little bit, too.”

Cal (38-23) learned during fall practice that its administration planned to cut the program for budgetary reasons in 2012. A number of players started looking for new schools. Many stayed and held out hope.

In April, the players found out that a $9 million fundraising effort had saved the program.

Coach David Esquer called it a “crazy year.”

“I think our program and our players proved a lot to themselves that they can take with them the rest of their lives,” he said. “They’ve learned a lot of lessons about perseverance and strength and it’s going to help them be better husbands and fathers. It’s been a year that has really taught them, as well as myself, a whole lot about human spirit.”